Recipes: Coconut Milk Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Whether its rushing to the gym, making lunch, blow drying or straightening my hair, or just trying to find an outfit for work, I'm somehow in a daily battle against time, as most people are. As a result, I usually sacrifice a creative breakfast in lieu of some nonfat Greek yogurt, a banana, and PB2, which I love, but to keep my diet interesting I like to switch up my meals every so often.

On the off days that I do find some extra time in the morning, I try to make a quick rendition of a breakfast burrito of egg white, feta, tomatoes, and avocado on a 100 calorie Arnold sandwich thins and topped with salsa. But those are rare occasions.

However, there's a better solution to making an interesting breakfast without spearing any time in the morning. Make it the night before.

When I want to switch up my breakfast routine I usually make overnight steel cut oats with cinnamon, light coconut (almond or soy milk work too), and chia seeds. Cinnamon is a metabolism booster so I like to put it in other food such as Greek yogurt, coffee, or sprinkled over fruit, and chia seeds are a great source of fiber and when fully absorbed, look, taste, and have the consistency of tapioca pudding. Blueberries are also a great stomach bloat reducer. It's sweet and low in calories and extremely good for you.

Recipe:

• 2/3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup steel cut oats (I like Trader Joe's)
• 1/3 cup light coconut milk (1/2 cup is only 50 calories)
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp brown sugar (optional for sweetness)
• 1/3 cup blueberries
• 1 6 oz container 0% Greek yogurt 

Preparation: Place chia seeds, steel cut oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a to-go container. I put mine in a mason jar because I love the display, but a plastic container will suffice! Poor skim milk and coconut milk over dry ingredients and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you'll grab a fluffy and fully absorbed oatmeal that is decadent and delicious.

When I arrive at work I poor a serving of greek yogurt into a bowl, place my oatmeal on top, and add a 1/3 cup fresh blueberries for some color and sweetness.

Simple, easy, and filling.